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Hello, Dolly! A Production You Can’t Miss

Pierre Players most recent production, Hello, Dolly!, is one you simply cannot miss!

Dolly Levi, the famed New York City matchmaker, receives her toughest challenge yet when rich grump Horace Vandergelder seeks a suitable wife. She successfully matches many others in the city, including Horace’s niece and two clerks, but everything seems to go wrong when it comes to matching Horace. Dolly finally realizes that maybe she’d like to marry Horace herself, but only if her late husband will send her a sign – and if Horace himself will have her.

Mrs. Levi tracks Horace to his hay and feed store in Yonkers, then by train back to Mrs. Molloy’s hat shop in New York, out into the streets of the city where they are all caught up in the great Fourteenth Street Association Parade, and finally to the most elegant and expensive restaurant in town, the Harmonia Gardens.

There, Dolly is greeted by the waiters, cooks, doormen and wine stewards in one of the most famous songs in the history of American musical comedy, Hello, Dolly! “Hello Dolly!” is full of memorable songs including Put On Your Sunday Clothes; Ribbons Down My Back; Before the Parade Passes By; Hello, Dolly!; Elegance; It Only Takes a Moment; and So Long, Dearie.

“Hello, Dolly!” was first produced on Broadway in 1964, winning a record 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, a record held for 35 years. The show, which made Carol Channing a star, became one of the most iconic Broadway shows of its era, running for 2,844 performances, and was for a time the longest-running musical in Broadway history. The show has become one of the most enduring musical theatre hits, enjoying three Broadway revivals, several national tours, and international success.

What makes the play even more enticing is the fact that a few BIT employees happen to be involved in it!

Zachary Kantack plays Barnaby Tucker who explains, “A young store clerk who gets dragged along on a New York Adventure, unenthusiastically. Maybe it’s because he has to pay for everything?” Brian Oakland plays a waiter and chorus member and Kathy Holtquist is also a chorus member. Interestingly, both Kathy and Brian have children in this production as well! Brian’s son, Justin, plays the role of Cornelius Hackl and Kathy’s daughter is a chorus member! In addition to the current BIT staff, Diane Kehrwald, a former BIT employee, stars as Dolly in this production!

Both Zachary and Brian have had prior experience with Pierre Players. Brian has been in the past 3 summer musicals while Zachary starred in Little Shop of Horrors this past year. For Kathy, this is not only her first play with Pierre Players, but this is her first play ever!

When asked to explain why YOU should check out this production, all three cast members agreed that the plot line of the play is a hoot! Brian Oakland explained, “A wonderful cast featuring local talent of all ages, great music, great vocals, and lots of laughs!” and Zachary went on to elaborate, “Hello Dolly is one of the few shows I can think of that plays everything for laughs. There’s suspense, there’s romance, and even some tender moments – but at no point does the show stop being a comedy.”

Eager to see what all the buzz is about? Here are a few opportunities for you to catch this production!

Friday, July 29th

Saturday, July 30th

Thursday, August 4th

Friday, August 5th

Saturday, August 6th

Doors Open @ 7:00pm, Performance @ 7:30pm

Sunday, July 31st

Sunday, August 7th

Sunday Matinee Doors Open @ 1:30pm, Performance at 2:00pm

The performance will be held at the Grand Opera House on Pierre Street. To reserve your tickets, please call 605-224-7826.